Roofing Tips & Guides
Expert Roofing Advice for Charlotte Homeowners
Learn from Charlotte's trusted roofing experts. Tips on maintenance, repair, replacement, and protecting your home from the elements.
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Learn from Charlotte's trusted roofing experts. Tips on maintenance, repair, replacement, and protecting your home from the elements.
Getting a new roof is exciting. It's also a big investment, and you want everything to go smoothly.
Here's the truth: A little prep work on your end makes the whole roof installation way less stressful. You'll protect your home, your yard, and your sanity. Plus, when you're ready for our crew, we can work faster and safer.
I've been doing this for years in Charlotte and Lake Norman. I've seen homeowners who were totally prepared, and I've seen others who… weren't. The difference is huge.
This guide walks you through exactly what to do before installation day. Nothing complicated. Just five simple steps that make a real difference.
Let's get your home ready for the best roofing experience possible.
You might be thinking, "Can't I just let the roofing crew handle everything?"
Sure, we'll do the heavy lifting. But when you take a few hours to prepare, here's what happens:
Your installation goes faster. Our crew doesn't waste time moving stuff or waiting for access. That means less disruption to your daily life.
Your property stays safer. We're dropping old shingles and moving equipment. When your yard is clear, there's less chance of damage to your favorite plants or outdoor furniture.
You avoid surprise costs. Some things (like getting permits or trimming trees near power lines) need to happen before we start. Finding out on installation day creates delays and extra expenses.
You protect your investment. Taking photos and documenting everything means if any questions come up later, you've got proof of what your home looked like before we touched it.
Think of it like this: You wouldn't paint your living room without moving the furniture first, right? Same idea here.
This is the boring stuff. But it's also the stuff that can completely derail your roof installation if you skip it.
In Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, most roof replacements need a building permit. Not repairs usually, but full replacements? Yeah, you need one.
Here's the kicker: Permits can take 2-3 weeks to process. Sometimes longer during busy building seasons (which is basically spring through fall in Charlotte).
Start this process as soon as you've signed with your roofing contractor. Most reputable companies (like us) will handle the permit application for you. But you still need to know it's happening and plan for the timeline.
Don't skip this. Working without a permit can create huge headaches when you try to sell your home later. Plus, it's just not worth the risk.
If you live in neighborhoods like Ballantyne, SouthPark, Weddington, or pretty much anywhere in Lake Norman, your HOA probably has rules about your roof.
They care about shingle colors. They care about styles. Some even require written approval before you order materials.
I've seen homeowners order $15,000 worth of shingles in the wrong color because they didn't check first. Don't be that person.
Get your HOA's architectural guidelines. Submit your roofing plans for approval. Wait for written confirmation. This can take 1-4 weeks depending on when your architectural review committee meets.
Filing a storm damage claim? Contact your insurance adjuster ASAP.
North Carolina gets its share of hail, wind, and severe storms. During busy storm seasons, adjusters get backed up. You might wait weeks for an inspection.
The sooner you start the insurance process, the sooner you get your roof fixed. Your contractor (that's us) can help with documentation and work with your adjuster, but you need to make that first call.
Now we're getting to the hands-on stuff. This is where you actually walk around your house and make it ready for a roofing crew.
Walk around your entire house. Move anything within 15 feet of your home's exterior walls.
That means:
Why 15 feet? Because we're going to drop old shingles, set up ladders, and stage materials. Falling debris doesn't care about your favorite garden gnome.
If something's too heavy to move (like a hot tub or built-in fire pit), just cover it with thick tarps. We'll work around it, but moving is better.
Charlotte's full of beautiful oak trees, pine trees, and Bradford pears. They're gorgeous until they're hanging over your roof during installation.
Trim back any branches within 10 feet of your roof. This gives our crew safe access and prevents branches from damaging your brand-new shingles during installation.
If you've got trees touching power lines, call a professional tree service. Don't DIY that one. Duke Energy will sometimes trim trees near power lines for free, but you need to call them well in advance.
I know, nobody likes cleaning gutters. But hear me out.
Clogged gutters full of pine needles, oak leaves, and gunk make it harder for us to see the condition of your roof edges. Plus, when we tear off old shingles, all that debris has to go somewhere.
Clean gutters now. It takes an hour, and it makes our job way easier. We can properly assess and repair your fascia and soffit if needed.
Got a satellite dish? Outdoor antenna? Solar panels?
These need to be removed before we can install your new roof. Then they get reinstalled after.
For satellite dishes and antennas, you can usually remove them yourself (just don't lose the mounting hardware). For solar panels, you'll need your solar company to handle removal and reinstallation.
Plan this in advance. Solar panel removal can take a few days to schedule.
A roof installation is loud. Like, really loud.
We're hammering, tearing, dropping materials, and using power tools directly above your head. The vibration alone can knock things loose inside your home.
Take down anything hanging on walls that share an attic space.
That includes:
I've seen framed family photos fall and shatter. I've watched shelf knickknacks vibrate right off onto hardwood floors. Save yourself the heartache and move them temporarily.
If you store stuff in your attic, know that it's going to get dusty. Really dusty.
When we tear off old shingles and work on decking, dust and debris filter down through tiny gaps. It's just part of the process.
Move anything valuable, fragile, or dust-sensitive to another part of your house. Cover what you can't move with tarps or old sheets.
Roof installation typically takes 1-3 days for most Charlotte homes. During that time, it's going to be loud from about 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
If you work from home, plan ahead. Schedule your Zoom meetings for after-hours. Maybe work from a coffee shop for a couple days. Or just warn your colleagues that there might be construction noise.
Got pets? They're probably not going to love the noise either. Consider boarding nervous dogs or keeping cats in a quiet basement room during work hours.
If we're replacing your garage roof too, cover your cars with tarps. Cover tools, workbenches, anything you don't want dusty.
The vibration can be intense, especially with garage door openers. Disconnect automatic openers temporarily so they don't get jostled and misaligned.
This seems obvious, but you'd be surprised how often we show up and can't get to critical areas.
We need access to every side of your house. That means gates need to be unlocked, pathways need to be clear.
If you've got a locked side gate, unlock it the morning of installation. Or give us a gate code. We'll need to haul equipment and materials around your entire home.
Clear walkways of bikes, toys, garden equipment, or anything else that creates an obstacle. Our crew will be moving fast with ladders and heavy materials. Clear paths make everyone safer.
Okay, we're not digging much for a roof installation. But we are setting up scaffolding, driving stakes, and potentially working near underground utilities.
North Carolina requires you to call 811 at least 48 hours before any project that involves ground disturbance. It's free, and utility companies will come mark where their lines run.
This protects us, protects you, and protects your neighbors from accidentally damaging gas, electric, or water lines.
Our crew needs electricity for power tools, nail guns, saws, fans (yes, we get hot up there in Charlotte summers).
Walk around your house and note where outdoor electrical outlets are. If you don't have any, or they're not working, let us know in advance.
We can bring extension cords from inside your house if needed, but we need to plan for it. Don't want to waste time on installation day hunting for outlets.
I mentioned moving planters earlier, but what about permanent landscaping?
If you've got prized flower beds right next to your house, consider covering them with plywood sheets. We'll drop heavy shingle bundles and set up ladders, and not all plants survive that treatment.
Roses, hydrangeas, and expensive ornamental plants are worth protecting. A few pieces of scrap plywood now save you from replanting later.
This is your insurance policy. And I mean that literally.
Walk around your entire property with your phone and take pictures. Lots of them.
Photograph:
Why? Because if any questions come up later about damage: pre-existing versus new: you've got proof.
Most roofing companies (including us) are careful and professional. But stuff happens. Having dated photos protects both you and your contractor.
Got a ceiling stain from an old leak? Cracks in drywall? Water marks in the attic?
Take close-up photos with timestamps. Make notes about what existed before the roof installation started.
This isn't about being paranoid. It's about being smart. If you discover a ceiling crack a week after installation, you want to know whether it was already there or if it's new from vibration.
Clear documentation prevents arguments and speeds up any warranty claims.
Take photos of problem areas on your existing roof:
This helps you and your contractor discuss the scope of work. It also creates a "before" record so you can see the transformation after your new roof is complete.
Look, we'll still install your roof even if you skip every step in this guide. We're professionals, and we adapt.
But here's what unprepared homeowners experience:
Delays. If we show up and can't access your backyard, or the permit isn't ready, or your HOA didn't approve the shingles, we can't start. You wait longer for your new roof.
Extra costs. Some contractors charge fees for delays outside their control. Or you pay rush fees to expedite permits. Or you pay to have trees trimmed on short notice.
Damaged property. Without proper prep, your patio furniture gets dinged. Your garden gets trampled. Your garage full of stuff gets dusty and damaged.
Stress. The whole process feels chaotic instead of smooth. You're scrambling to move stuff while we're trying to work.
One homeowner in Cornelius forgot to unlock his gate before leaving for work. Our crew couldn't access his backyard, where we needed to stage materials. We lost half a day waiting for him to come home at lunch.
Another homeowner in Ballantyne didn't check HOA rules. She ordered premium architectural shingles in a color her HOA specifically prohibited. She had to reorder, wait another three weeks, and pay a restocking fee.
Don't be those homeowners. A few hours of prep saves you days of headaches.
We get it. Preparing for a roof installation feels like a lot.
That's why we walk you through this entire checklist during your consultation. We don't just hand you a contract and disappear until installation day.
Here's how we help:
We handle your permits. You don't have to figure out Mecklenburg County building department forms. We submit everything, track the process, and keep you updated.
We coordinate with your HOA. Give us your HOA's contact info and guidelines, and we'll submit the architectural review request. We've worked with pretty much every HOA in the Charlotte and Lake Norman area.
We provide a detailed prep checklist. Before your installation date, we send you a customized checklist based on your specific home and roof. No guessing.
We help with insurance claims. If you're filing a storm damage claim, we work directly with your adjuster. We document damage, provide estimates, and handle the technical details.
We communicate obsessively. You'll know exactly when we're coming, what to expect each day, and when we'll be finished. No surprises.
Our goal is simple: Make your roof installation the smoothest home improvement project you've ever done.
Let's recap everything in one simple checklist:
Two Weeks Before Installation:
One Week Before Installation:
Day Before Installation:
Installation Day:
Print this list. Stick it on your fridge. Check things off as you go.
You've done all the prep work. Now what happens when our crew shows up?
Here's a typical day:
7:30 AM: Our crew arrives. We'll introduce ourselves, walk the property, and set up safety equipment.
8:00 AM: We start tearing off your old roof. This is the loudest, messiest part. Shingles go into a dump trailer.
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: We inspect and repair roof decking as needed. We install new underlayment (that's the waterproof barrier under your shingles).
12:00 PM: Lunch break. Things get quieter for an hour.
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: We install your new shingles, starting from the bottom and working up. We install new flashing around chimneys, vents, and valleys.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: We clean up. We run magnets over your yard to pick up loose nails. We haul away debris.
For most Charlotte homes, this process takes 1-2 days. Larger homes or complex roofs might take 3 days.
Throughout the process, our crew lead will update you on progress and flag any unexpected issues (like rotted decking we couldn't see until tear-off).
Charlotte weather and local conditions create some unique prep considerations:
Summer heat: We start early to avoid the worst heat. Make sure we have access to water (an outdoor spigot is perfect). The cooler we stay, the better quality work we deliver.
Afternoon thunderstorms: Summer storms roll through fast. We watch weather radar constantly. If storms threaten, we'll tarp sections to keep your home dry.
Pine pollen season: Spring installations mean everything gets covered in yellow pollen dust. We'll clean up, but expect some extra dusting inside from pollen settling during vibration.
Clay soil movement: Charlotte's red clay expands and contracts with moisture. That's why documenting pre-existing cracks matters: this soil movement causes foundation settling that's unrelated to your new roof.
A new roof is one of the biggest investments you'll make in your home. In Charlotte, you're looking at $8,000 to $25,000+ depending on size and materials.
Proper preparation ensures you get the most value from that investment:
Faster installation means less disruption to your life and lower risk of weather delays.
Better quality happens when crews work efficiently without obstacles and delays.
Protected property means your landscaping, belongings, and interior stay intact.
Clear documentation prevents disputes and streamlines any warranty claims.
Lower stress makes the whole experience something you'll actually feel good about.
You're not just preparing for a construction project. You're preparing for a smoother, safer, better roofing experience.
If you're planning a roof installation in Charlotte or Lake Norman, we're here to help with every single step.
We'll walk you through preparation, handle your permits and HOA coordination, and install a roof that'll protect your home for decades.
No pressure. No sales pitch. Just honest guidance from people who actually care about doing this right.
Schedule your free roof inspection and let's talk about your project. We'll create a custom prep plan for your specific home and situation.
Call us at (704) 710-ROOF or visit bestroofingnow.com to get started.
Your best roof begins with the best preparation. Let's do this together.
Best Roofing Now
Charlotte's trusted roofing experts since 2019
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